An urgent call has been made to parents, as well as teachers, to pay close attention to the behavioural patterns and emotional changes of the children in their care.
It comes from Adolescent and Child Development Psychologist, Camile Swapp, following the death of 15-year-old Jayden Lalchan, whose parents say he was bullied for many years at school.
Speaking on CNC3’s The Morning Brew show, Swapp noted that children may not always know how to express their feelings and emotions. She says that is why it is so important that the adults in their lives keep a keen eye on them and look out for any behavioural changes.
“Stress in childhood is lethal. It’s almost like sleep depravation and food depravation,” she explained. “Everybody has a little stress but for a child, they are not able to manage as much as adults and that’s what makes [children] vulnerable.”
Jayden Lalchan died by suicide on October 3, 2024, in a bid to end the bullying that tormented his young life.
Since his death, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has confirmed that its anti-bullying campaign will be relaunched soon in South Trinidad.
In addition, police officers were sent to Fyzabad Presbyterian School on Tuesday (October 8), where there have been reports of a Standard 3 pupil allegedly ‘terrorising’ both students and teachers. The officers reportedly spoke with the student accused of the misbehaviour.
Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly confirmed to Guardian Media that she had ordered an investigation into the incidents involving the student.
